Navy Department Orders Leaves for Jewish Employees on Yom Kippur

September 18, 1942

WASHINGTON (Sep. 17)

All naval stations and shore establishments were notified today by Ralph A. Bard, Assistant Secretary, that the Navy Department desired that as many employes of the Jewish faith as could be spared without impairing the prosecution of urgent work be excused from duty on the Day of Atonement, from sundown Sunday to sundown Monday.

In his message Mr. Bard said that “religious tolerance was American doctrine” and instructed that employes thus excused should make up lost time if possible so there would be no loss in productive hours. Absence would be charged to annual leave if due, otherwise to leave without pay.